Playoff Central: Semifinal Recap and Finals Preview!

TJ said it best in the chat; “Another year, another playoff heartbreak Sunday.”  This year’s post-season seems to be especially painful with each of the four playoff match ups thus far coming down to the final day (and some to the final at bat).  Heading into Sunday Night Baseball, a number of players held the balance of either match up in their hands.

Heading into Sunday’s slate, TJ and Alex were tied 4-4 (I think) with RBI and Saves tied.  After averaging 7 RBI/day for a number of weeks, TJ posted one measly RBI and went on to lose that category.  Alex’s Blake Treinen closed the door on the Phillies Sunday afternoon which gave Gentilli a 6-4 advantage heading into the night game, LAD @ WSH.  TJ needed a save from Jansen and 3 RBI from Daniel Murphy to pull back even, activating his tie breaker.  He got neither, and Alex punched his ticket to the finals. 

Richie began Sunday with a 5-3 lead over Jarrett with 8/10 categories undecided.  Here’s what my Sunday looked like from about 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm and yes, it’s rant-y:

Jarrett has Wade Davis and we were tied in saves, so I tuned into the Cubs game.  As the Cubs pushed across a run in the 7^th to break a 3-3 tie, the Cubs announcers wondered if Wade Davis would be available to pitch for a third day in a row, which was a very cruel ruse.  Of course he came out for the save.  To make matters worse, the final out not just a warning track fly ball but a “WadeDavis Dropped to His Knees Because He Thought He Blew The Save” fly ball.  About an hour later, the San Francisco Giants expanded their lead to 7-2 and blocked a save chance for my Sam Dyson, cementing the category for Jarrett and giving him a 4-3 lead.  As Stephen Strasburg delivered the first pitch of the final game of the week all five offensive categories were up for grabs.  HR, R, and SB were tied, Jarrett had slim leads in AVG (.004) and RBI (2) and started Trea Turner against my Chris Taylor.  Here’s Taylor’s second atbat, special fuck you to Jayson Werth.  Fucking spell your name right dickface.  In the top of the ninth, Taylor was due up fifth.  The Nats bring in their closer up 7-1, fuck you too Dusty.  The inning goes strike out, single, walk (!!!), slow ground ball to first base.  They don’t go for the double play.  Chris Taylor steps up to the plate with 2 outs in the top of the ninth.  A single would swing 2 categories, a HR would swing 4 – that’s how close this was. 

Mighty Chris Taylor popped out. 

But onto the Finals!  Congratulations to Jarrett and Alex who are battling for the Chalice.  Here’s some historical context:

We know Jarrett’s story by now.  He’s gunning for his third straight chalice, which would be a Diamond Dynasty first in both total titles and consecutive titles.  His victory over Richie was his sixth straight playoff victory – that’s a new record. 

Alex makes his first finals appearance since 2012 where he lost to Kurt.  This is Alex’s fifth finals appearance which is second only to Ben’s six.  Alex is 1-3 all time with the Chalice on the line.

Jarrett and Alex have played in the post season twice (2006 consolation, 2016 semi-finals) and Jarrett has won both.

3 seeds (Jarrett) are 3-1 in finals appearances.

5 seeds (Alex) have never made it to the finals.

This is the fourth finals in league history that does not feature a team who earned a bye week.  The others were in 2005, 2009, and 2011.

Both guys are throwing out double digit projected SP’s so the counting stats will be sky high.  It’s just going to come down to who has a hot week.  Jarrett’s tie breaker looms large, but as I’m releasing this write up a day late, Alex had a fantastic offensive Monday which has given him a strong early lead.  Should be another exciting final!